The image you see here is of a doll I made some years ago when I was doing volunteer outreach work for a hospital. The doll was meant to give to children, along with a permanent marker so that the child could mark the spot on the doll where they were having pain in the same spot on their bodies. I’m glad I kept a prototype of this hairless doll. I needed a doll in a hurry for a gift.
You see, with great expectations, I had waltzed into JoAnn Fabric about a week and a half ago and had purchased 16 oz. of sportsweight yarn, as the crochet pattern indicated, and began making a dress for a 6-9 month old baby, my granddaughter. I finished it yesterday. Having put the horse before the cart, and being sure the dress would fit, you can imagine my consternation at being told last night that Hannah is already 16″ around and has a 6″ circumference of her upper arms. The dress is too small.
My next thought turned to putting the dress on a doll. So, you can see, this one comes in handy. I had not crocheted anything in years, and before that, had pretty much stayed with crocheted afghans, snowflakes, and once, a Nativity scene. I rather enjoy crocheting and especially love the look of crocheted edges on old pillowcases. There is a lot to be said for keeping these old needlearts alive. Along the same lines as measure twice, cut once, for quilting (or woodworking), I know now that I should have gotten the measurements of the baby ahead of time.
The good news is that the doll is resurrected to life again and will no longer be languishing in a closet. She has a pretty dress to wear. I might even add a ribbon trim to the front of the dress, to jazz it up a bit. Only the wasteful let things go to waste. Besides, I had fun crocheting and it has renewed an interest in a craft I left behind years ago.
That’s the latest chapter in the Cummings’ household. It’s snowing here like crazy! I love being snowbound!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications – for fun reading, or to give as a gift, consider Straight Talk About Quilt Care II, an e-book that delivers much more than I can describe.
